Primary Position SEO NYC

AI SEO Frequently Asked Questions in 2025

David Quaid — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 16:01:50 +0000

Table of Contents

Can SEO be done by AI?

Yes, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) can be assisted—and in some cases, partially automated—by AI. AI-powered tools now handle various SEO tasks, including keyword research, content optimization, site audits, competitor analysis, link building, and even drafting SEO-friendly content. These tools can quickly process large data sets, use machine learning to identify emerging search trends, and deliver actionable insights to improve website rankings.

What is the AI SEO?

AI SEO is a nickname for SEO when applied to SEO

What’s the best AI SEO?

The best AI SEO tools depend on the specific needs and budget of the user. Examples include platforms like Semrush, Ahrefs, Surfer SEO, Jasper AI, and Clearscope. These tools vary in their focus—some excel at content optimization, others at technical analysis or link building. However, no tool fully replaces the strategic thinking and human judgment needed to manage complex SEO campaigns.

Can ChatGPT do SEO?

Not really – we’d give it a 2/10 as its so poisoned by misinformation and cannot yet reason out what is debunked by Google and commonly spread myths like EEAT being somethign?”real” or tangible. ChatGPT itself can help with SEO tasks such as brainstorming keywords, generating SEO-friendly titles and meta descriptions, reviewing content for readability and relevance, and suggesting improvements. However, it is not integrated directly with search engine analytics or website data, so it cannot perform technical site audits, track ranking changes, or automate large-scale optimizations. It is most useful as a content and strategy assistant.

Is SEO going away with AI?

Definitely not! SEO is not going away with AI; instead, AI is changing how SEO is practiced. Search engines themselves rely on AI to evaluate content and user intent, making SEO more dynamic. Human expertise still matters to guide strategy, interpret data, and create genuinely valuable content—especially as algorithms evolve.

Can Google detect AI SEO? without citations

Its highly unlike that Google can detect AI-generated content or try to. but it does not automatically penalize it. Google’s main concern is quality, relevance, and utility for users—not whether a machine or human wrote the text. Spammy, low-quality, or manipulative “AI SEO” tactics can be flagged by Google’s algorithms.

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Debunking Myths about Language Models, Search, and Content Preferences: Google vs LLMs

David Quaid — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:26:44 +0000

The rise of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Claude has led to substantial confusion in the tech and SEO communities. Chief among these misconceptions is the belief that LLMs themselves act as search engines and that they “prefer” specific writing styles, brands, or schemas when ranking or referencing content. This misunderstanding can lead to suboptimal SEO strategies and misguided content development efforts.

LLMs vs. Search Engines: Fundamental Differences

At their core, LLMs are not search engines. Language models, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, and Perplexity, are designed to generate human-like text based on probabilistic models built from vast corpora of data. In contrast, traditional search engines like Google, Bing, and Brave Search utilize carefully crafted algorithms (notably PageRank and its variants) to crawl, index, and rank the vast expanse of the web. Their results are determined through multiple layers of ranking signals, including backlinks, content relevance, authority, and, crucially, search intent.

When a user queries an LLM—especially in modern, web-connected implementations—the model does not directly “search” the web using its own web-crawling algorithms. Instead, it outsources the actual searching process to established search engines such as Google, Bing, or Brave Search. For instance:

ChatGPT powered by “Browse with Bing” fetches search results, which are then summarized and presented via the LLM.
Google Gemini may directly integrate Google search results into its responses, blending LLM summarization with classic search.
Perplexity and Claude similarly blend language model synthesis with real-time queries to engines like Bing or Brave.

Thus, LLMs act as advanced synthesis and summarization tools, layering natural language understanding atop traditional search results, rather than functioning as stand-alone indexers and rankers of the open web.

The Fallacy of LLM “Preferences” for Writing Style and Schema

A persistent myth is that these language models inherently “prefer” certain kinds of writing—such as particular headline formulas, content schemas, or brand names—and that tweaking content to these supposed preferences will improve rankings or LLM references. This myth is categorically false.

Why LLMs Don’t “Prefer” Content Patterns

LLMs lack any native schema or format in their training or serving logic that would make them favor one style over another. Their responses are shaped by:

The relevance and prominence of information returned by the underlying search engine.
The quality of the search results, as determined by ranking algorithms like Google’s PageRank.
The distribution of information on the web, which is itself a product of SEO best practices— but this is at the level of the search engine, not at the LLM.

As emphasized by experts on forums like Weblinkr on Reddit, and detailed on industry analysis blogs such as PrimaryPosition.com, DejanSEO, and iPullrank, claims that LLMs “prefer” particular writing schemas, templates, or branding are rooted in a misunderstanding. The actual reference or citation of content by an LLM is almost always an artifact of how that content ranks in the search engine’s results for a given query.

The True Influence is PageRank

PageRank, and its more modern variations now deeply integrated into Google and Bing’s ranking systems, ultimately decide which sites surface for a given query. LLMs overlay their “understanding” atop these results, selecting and summarizing based on what is already ranked. If a writing style or brand seems to feature more frequently in LLM outputs, it is almost certainly because that content is already well-indexed and highly ranked by the underlying search mechanism.

DejanSEO and iPullrank have discussed in depth how LLM-based assistants do not have intrinsic preferences for how information is presented. Their decisions are reactive, mirroring the quality, authority, and positioning conferred by search engines.

LLMs are just Outsourcing Search

Both primary research and hands-on experimentation confirm that LLMs operate in the following manner:

User submits a prompt.
LLM hands off the search request to an integrated engine (Google, Bing, Brave, etc.).
Engine returns ranked web results, shaped by SEO and PageRank.
LLM summarizes or selectively cites from those results.

The LLM does not, at any point, apply its own crawl, rank, or “preference” logic to the raw web. This is vital for SEOs, content creators, and marketers to understand—PageRank and SEO best practices determine web visibility, not a LLM’s assessment of prose style or brand gravitas.

Conclusion

The belief that LLMs themselves “prefer” certain styles, structures, or schemas is unfounded. Instead, LLMs reflect and synthesize what is most visible in the major search engines—meaning that classic search engine optimization and PageRank authority remain the true gatekeepers to appearing in LLM responses. Brands and creators should focus on traditional SEO and content quality, not on chasing imaginary LLM “preferences”.

For a deep dive on this subject, see discussions on Ann Smarty. Dejan SEO, and iPullrank, where seasoned SEOs clarify these distinctions and warn against misallocating resources to mythical LLM preference hacks.

: See discussions on Weblinkr subreddit and recent analyses by PrimaryPosition.com regarding the interplay of LLMs and search engine results.

: In-depth technical breakdowns by DejanSEO and iPullrank on how major LLMs connect to and depend on Google, Bing, or Brave for real-time results.

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A Strategy from a Top Enterprise SEO Agency

David Quaid — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 04:51:14 +0000

In the dynamic world of digital marketing, an enterprise SEO agency needs to be more than just a service provider; it needs to be a strategic partner. At PrimaryPosition.com, we’ve built our reputation on this very principle. We are a top-tier enterprise SEO agency specializing in helping B2B, SaaS, and technology companies achieve extraordinary growth through search.

Our approach is rooted in two decades of experience and a relentless focus on measurable results. We understand that enterprise-level SEO isn’t just about keywords and rankings; it’s about driving a tangible return on investment, increasing organic traffic, and boosting conversions. We’ve helped our clients achieve remarkable outcomes, including a 400% increase in organic traffic and over 1700% growth in inbound conversions.

A Data-Driven and AI-Enhanced Approach

The SEO landscape is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve is our priority. That’s why we have embraced the power of AI to supercharge our strategies. We don’t just adapt to change; we lead it. Our AI-driven services include:

Generative Search Optimization (GSO): We optimize your content to be a trusted source for AI-powered search results, making your brand a cited authority.
Predictive Analytics: We use AI to forecast keyword performance and identify new opportunities before your competitors even know they exist.
Enhanced Data Analysis: Our data-driven decisions are powered by deep insights into user behavior, ensuring every action we take is smart and effective.

More Than Just Rankings: Building Authority and Trust

While many agencies focus on vanity metrics, we focus on what truly matters: your bottom line. We work closely with you to create a clear and concise search marketing plan that promotes your website and improves your visibility where it counts. Our founder, David Quaid, is a recognized authority in the SEO industry, and his insights are regularly featured in leading publications and discussions, including on platforms like Reddit.

We believe that true success comes from a combination of a solid foundation and innovative strategies. We meticulously handle all aspects of your SEO, including technical SEO, content strategy, and authority building. We also understand the critical role of backlinking, and we build your brand’s authority through a combination of high-quality backlinks and strategic outreach.

At Primary Position, our mission is not just to be the best in our field, but to work with the best clients to create the most successful campaigns. Our end-to-end understanding of the web allows us to develop a unique, tailor-made digital strategy that ensures you achieve your goals and stand out in your market.

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Is Bing Webmaster Tools the best free backlink checker tool?

David Quaid — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 03:09:15 +0000

Backlinks. The funadamental lifeblood of SEO. We all know the big players—Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz and other top tier SEO Tools which have massive large databases, partial replicas of Google’s GooglePlex, and their data is invaluable to many SEO Providers.. But what if you’re learning SEO, a startup, a student, or an SEO pro on a tight budget? Or what if you just want to check a competitor’s link profile without shelling out hundreds of dollars?

Enter Bing Webmaster Tools.

That’s right, the same Bing that a lot of people overlook. But here’s the secret: their free backlink checker is a seriously underrated resource, and in some ways, it gives you a purer, more focused data set than some of the paid tools.

Why Bing is Your Secret Weapon

Bing is not just a ‘poor man’s Google Search Console. It gives you data that GSC doesn’t.” Unlike GSC, which only provides a sample of your backlinks, Bing Webmaster Tools gives you a comprehensive view of backlinks for any site—not just your own.

This isn’t just about checking your own site, either. This is about competitor analysis. David Quaid, founder of Primary Position, often talks about reverse-engineering competitor strategies. Bing lets you do that, for free. Just plug in a competitor’s URL and you can see their top referring domains and the anchor text they’re using. It’s like getting a look at their link-building playbook.

Getting Started: The 3-Minute Setup

Getting access is so simple it’s almost a non-starter. If you already have Google Search Console, you can import your verified sites directly. No need for meta tags or DNS records. Bing simply pulls your GSC data, verifies you, and grants you access to the goods.

Once you’re in, find the “Backlinks” link in the left-hand navigation. From here, you can:

Analyze Your Own Site: See a detailed breakdown of your own backlink profile.
Spy on Competitors: Click on “Backlinks to any site,” plug in a competitor’s domain, and get a list of up to two sites to compare with yours.

What to Look For: More Than Just a Number

The true value of any tool isn’t the raw data—it’s what you do with it. As Mike King often emphasizes with his “Relevance Engineering” framework, it’s not about the quantity of links, but the quality.

Bing helps you focus on quality from the get-go. The tool is known for automatically filtering out “spammy-looking backlinks” and social media links. This means you’re not getting bogged down by useless data. You get a cleaner, more actionable list of links that Bing’s algorithm actually respects.

Here’s how to put that data to work:

Anchor Text Analysis: Review the anchor text being used. Are competitors getting links with rich, relevant keywords? This can inform your own content and link-building strategy.
Referring Domain Deep Dive: Click on a referring domain to see the specific pages and anchor text linking to your target site. This is where the gold is. You can use this to identify potential guest post opportunities or to find broken links on those sites that you can ask to be replaced with your own content.
“Show Domains Not Linking to My Site”: This filter is a game-changer. It shows you the domains that are linking to your competitors but not to you. This is a ready-made list of targets for your next outreach campaign.

The Final Position

While it’s not a substitute for the comprehensive features of Ahrefs or SEMrush, Bing Webmaster Tools is an essential part of any SEO’s toolkit. It provides a powerful, free look into link profiles that can give you a significant edge—and without the noise. As David Quaid often preaches, SEO is about leveraging all available resources to gain a competitive advantage. Bing Webmaster Tools is one of the most powerful free resources you have. Use it.

The post Is Bing Webmaster Tools the best free backlink checker tool? appeared first on Primary Position SEO NYC.

Understanding the SEO Backlink Marketplaces : Link Farms vs PBN

David Quaid — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 15:30:48 +0000

There’s a lot of confusion in the SEO world when it comes to Private Blog Networks (PBNs) and link farms. The terms are often thrown around interchangeably, but in reality, they represent very different things. Let’s break it down clearly.

What’s a PBN, Really?

By definition, a PBN is not for public sale. That’s the starting point.

If you open your PBN to sell outbound links, it stops being a PBN and immediately becomes a link farm.
A properly built PBN is a controlled, private asset—not part of a public marketplace.

So, while some people try to classify link farms as “low-quality PBNs,” that simply isn’t correct. A link farm is a link farm. Period.

Why “Link Farm” Has a Bad Reputation

The term link farm has become derogatory, primarily because those in the SEO industry who work with trusted, branded domains look down on it.

That being said, link farms themselves don’t always mean “garbage domains.” They can include both high-quality and low-quality sites. The industry nuance is this:

High-quality link farms often operate with decent domains, but eventually sell off expired or “zero’d” sites.
Low-quality link farms are just spammy networks with little to no power.

Think of high-quality link farms as operating a bit like the Sub-Prime Mortgage Crisis—bundling up assets that look fine for now, but are built on shaky foundations.

The public perception – as demonstrated by this “AI Generated” image by Perplexity – is that PBNs are highly curated whereas Link Farms are industrial low quality PBNs. The truth is that Link Farms run the gammut of good to bad….high authority to zero.

Buying Links: Risk vs. Reward

Yes, buying backlinks can work. In fact, it isn’t always inherently “negative” in the eyes of Google’s ranking system. But it’s important to understand how Google treats links:

Google typically targets the source of the link, not the buyer.
In 90% of cases, instead of penalizing buyers, Google simply de-ranks the outbound (linking) domain.

That’s why many link sellers are constantly cycling through domains—they burn out over time as their value drops.

Google’s Approach: Algorithms First, Manual Actions Rare

Here’s where people often overcomplicate things. Google doesn’t “hunt” link farms. It doesn’t look at shared Google Search Console accounts or manually curate the web. That would be impossible.

Instead, every single page goes through Google’s algorithm, which applies rules and heuristics at scale to decide:

Does this page deserve to rank?
Does this link pass authority?
Or does it get ignored?

That’s why they call it an algorithm—it processes everything, automatically.

What About Manual Actions?

Manual actions are extremely rare and only occur when a site falls into an egregious violation.
Historically, updates have aimed to affect no more than 5% of rankings at a time (a principle Google held since Matt Cutts’ era).

So while penalties exist, they’re a small fraction of what actually impacts sites.

The Silent Kill: Authority Passing and Topical Relevance

In recent years, Google has quietly shifted its strategy away from heavy-handed penalties. Instead, it changes how authority flows.

For example:

Google now requires that a page actually rank and get organic traffic before it can pass meaningful link equity. That simple adjustment alone wiped out the effectiveness of a huge portion of link farms without needing to penalize anyone directly.
In the December 2024 update, Google tightened how it calculates Topical Authority. The fallout? Even massive players like HubSpot lost traffic, showing no site is immune when relevance signals get recalibrated.

Final Thoughts

To put it plainly:

PBNs are private, controlled networks.
Link farms are public link-selling schemes.
Google typically neutralizes value rather than punishing.
Updates are designed to quietly reduce abuse while keeping the system scalable.

So, the next time the PBN vs. link farm debate comes up, remember—it’s not just semantics. It’s about how Google evaluates networks at scale and how the SEO industry uses (and misuses) these concepts in practice.

Would you like me to optimize this post a bit more for SEO readability (with headings like “Is Buying Links Safe in 2025?” or “Do PBNs Still Work?”), so it attracts organic clicks as well as informs?

The post Understanding the SEO Backlink Marketplaces : Link Farms vs PBN appeared first on Primary Position SEO NYC.

A word about TJ Robertson – TJ Digital – AI Optimization

David Quaid — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 05:22:40 +0000

So – I was really intrigued when TJ – who says he’s a master of AI “optimization” called out using ranking in Search Engines to also rank in LLMs a trick. This is a kind of really odd, banal and emotive statement to make: after all – if you’re ranking in a search engine like Google or Bing and an LLM tool (and LLM tools aren’t really “AI”) – then how is it a “trick” if Perplexity uses that ranked result to include you in Perplexity results?

Of course its not a trick. what it is – is highly inconvenient to TJ when he’s trying to paint LLMs as some magical alternativity but he keeps getting undone by the fact that LLMs aren’t actually search engines, and use Search Engines to rank stack content.

Instead – TJ – like many others is really projecting. TJ knows this happens and he prefers that “AI” or LLM tools use some magic to “know” that you’re really an “Authority” – although Google is so good at it the LLMs just use them to do it – but because he’;s coming from a an emotive PoV : which is that he personally doesnt love PageRank and SEO – his emotive rezoning is maybe providing the basis for this conclusion, hence the breakdown in logic.

I could be wrong.

But there are also lots of whitepapers about why LLMs aren’t search engines and can’t do it – from the LLM teams.

There are lots of people saying that LLMS.txt isn’t a real idea

But to people who emotionally connect themselves to the idea that LLMs MUST vanquish Google/SEO/PageRank – thats all the evidence they need.

So no doubt – me writing a reply like this is just a trick. I’ve clearly conned whatever search tool you used to find this – and thats why its ranking. I wonder what TJ wil say about that?

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The Ultimate Guide to B2B YouTube Marketing: From Strategy to SEO Success

David Quaid — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 01:49:12 +0000

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, B2B companies are constantly searching for new channels to connect with their audience, build authority, and drive revenue. While platforms like LinkedIn and industry-specific forums are staples, a powerful and often underutilized resource is sitting right under your nose: YouTube. Often perceived as a space for entertainment and B2C content, YouTube is, in fact, the world’s second-largest search engine—a goldmine for businesses looking to engage a professional, problem-solving audience.

The key to success, however, is not to treat it like a traditional entertainment channel. As one expert from our agency puts it, “Don’t try to be entertaining. Be interesting but be accurate and informative.” B2B buyers don’t come to YouTube to be entertained; they come to solve problems. They are searching for tutorials, product demos, thought leadership, and expert insights that can help them do their jobs better. By shifting your mindset from being a showman to being a trusted educator, you can build a robust B2B YouTube channel that drives real results.

The Five Pillars of a Winning B2B YouTube Strategy

A successful B2B YouTube strategy is built on a foundation of five core principles, which are as follows:

Don’t Just Entertain—Educate and Inform: This is the most crucial takeaway. Your content should be a resource, not a distraction. Focus on the pain points and questions your target audience has. Create videos that offer clear, actionable solutions. Think in terms of tutorials, how-to guides, product demonstrations, and deep-dive analyses. Your viewers are there for a reason, and it is to get to the point. Give them exactly what they’re looking for to build trust and authority.
Optimize Videos for Both Google and Youtube: Many marketers forget that YouTube is a search engine, just like its parent company, Google. As a result, SEO principles apply directly to your video strategy. YouTube’s algorithm rewards videos that are technically sound and contextually relevant. This means you must optimize your videos with the right titles, descriptions, tags, and even closed captions. A detailed video description, for example, acts like a blog post for Google and can help your video rank on both platforms. Using long-tail keywords in your titles and descriptions, as you would for a blog post, can attract a highly specific and valuable B2B audience.
Promote Videos Across All Your Channels: A video’s life doesn’t end when it’s published. Promote it everywhere your audience is. Embed your YouTube videos in relevant blog posts. Share them on LinkedIn, Twitter, and other professional networks. This not only increases views but also reinforces your brand’s presence across different platforms. The search results from Reddit highlighted that a well-crafted backlink strategy, which involves embedding and sharing content, is a key component of success. You can also drive traffic by adding YouTube links to your website, email newsletters, and other marketing materials.
Engage with Viewers and Build a Community: Interacting with your audience is not just a polite gesture—it’s an SEO and community-building tactic. Respond to comments, answer questions, and participate in discussions. This demonstrates that you are committed to your audience and fosters a sense of community around your brand. Encourage viewers to share their thoughts and feedback to create a two-way dialogue. This level of engagement can significantly boost your video’s ranking signals and build a loyal following.
Track and Analyze Video Performance: Like any marketing effort, you must measure the results. Use YouTube’s built-in analytics to gain insights into your video performance. Track key metrics such as views, watch time, audience retention, and click-through rates. This data-driven approach allows you to understand what content resonates with your audience, what needs improvement, and how to refine your strategy for maximum effectiveness.

SEO Best Practices for Your B2B YouTube Videos

To ensure your videos are discoverable and authoritative, follow these key best practices:

Keyword Optimization: Include your target keywords in your video title, description, and tags. Place the most important keyword at the beginning of the title to catch the user’s attention. Think about long-tail keywords that address specific B2B search intent.
Detailed Descriptions: Write a detailed, keyword-rich description for each video. Include a summary of the content, key takeaways, and relevant timestamps to improve the user experience. This also provides additional context for search engines, increasing your video’s searchability.
Custom Thumbnails: Design eye-catching, custom thumbnails that are visually appealing and clearly indicate the video’s content. A good thumbnail can dramatically increase your click-through rate.
Transcripts and Closed Captions: Adding closed captions and a full transcript not only makes your content accessible but also provides Google and YouTube with more crawlable text. This can help your video rank for a wider range of relevant keywords.
Channel Optimization: Organize your videos into themed playlists to increase watch time and help viewers find related content. Use consistent branding across your channel banner and icons to reinforce your brand identity.

Dissecting Common SEO Myths

In the world of SEO, misinformation and superstition are common. A Reddit user named u/WebLinkr, an SEO expert, dispels some of these myths, reinforcing a white-hat approach to YouTube SEO. They argue that you don’t need “special writing” from AI tools, nor do you need complex schema to rank. The core of SEO, according to them, lies in a fundamental understanding of how search engines process content—by stripping text from the HTML and using it for context. This suggests that clear, helpful, and well-written video descriptions and transcripts are far more valuable than any “magical” SEO tool.

When it comes to backlinks, u/WebLinkr states that links from social profiles are often “PYO” (print-your-own) and do not count, as most forums use a “NoFollow” attribute to prevent link-passing. This is a crucial distinction for B2B marketers who might think that simply dropping a link to their video on a profile page is an effective backlink strategy. Instead, a more robust strategy is needed.

A Backlink Strategy for B2B YouTube Success

A backlink strategy for your B2B YouTube content can significantly boost its authority and ranking. Here are some effective tactics based on a Reddit discussion:

Leverage Communities and Forums: Identify startup communities, developer forums, and industry-specific subreddits where your target audience spends time. Participate in discussions and, where appropriate, share your videos as a helpful resource. The key is to add value, not just to self-promote.
Collaborate with Partners and Customers: Partner with suppliers, customers, and other industry allies to collaborate on case studies or articles. You can create a video about the collaboration and then embed it on your partner’s website, which will provide a valuable backlink.
Seek Out Integrations: If your product or service integrates with other platforms, such as Make or Zapier, explore getting listed on their marketplaces. These listings often come with high-quality backlinks and can drive a significant amount of referral traffic.
Pitch to Local and Industry Outlets: Reach out to local tech outlets or industry publications and offer to write a guest article or be featured in their content. You can embed your YouTube video within the article, creating a powerful backlink and a new channel for discovery.

By combining an educational content strategy with a rigorous approach to on-page and off-page SEO, you can turn your B2B YouTube channel into a powerful engine for lead generation and brand authority. The path to success isn’t about being an entertainer; it’s about being the most helpful expert in the room, and YouTube provides the perfect stage to prove it.

The post The Ultimate Guide to B2B YouTube Marketing: From Strategy to SEO Success appeared first on Primary Position SEO NYC.

Top SEO YouTube Channels 2025

David Quaid — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 01:32:46 +0000

Here is the list of top SEO YouTube channels, with a link to each one:

SEO Grumpy Guy: Known for his no-nonsense, direct, and often critical take on SEO.
- Link: https://www.youtube.com/@GrumpySEOGuy
Primary Position: This channel is valued for its in-depth SEO case studies, tutorials, and practical strategies, breaking down complex topics into actionable steps.
- Link: https://www.youtube.com/@primaryposition
Ahrefs: As a leading SEO tool provider, Ahrefs offers data-driven tutorials on keyword research, link building, and content optimization, all backed by real-world examples.
- Link: https://www.youtube.com/c/AhrefsCom
Google Search Central: This is the official source for updates, best practices, and advice directly from Google’s team, essential for staying current with algorithm changes.
- Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWf2ZlNsCGDS89VBF_awNvA
Matt Diggity: Known for sharing “real” SEO techniques based on test results, he specializes in affiliate SEO and advanced strategies, with no theory or guesswork.
- Link: https://www.youtube.com/c/MattDiggity
Nathan Gotch: This channel combines deep SEO tutorials with business growth advice, providing comprehensive guides that are perfect for agency owners and freelancers.
- Link: https://www.youtube.com/@nathangotch
Brian Dean (Backlinko): Brian Dean is known for his actionable, data-backed SEO strategies and case studies for growing organic traffic, often focusing on “next-level” tactics.
- Link: https://www.youtube.com/@BacklinkoTeam
Authority Hacker: This channel is a top resource for learning how to build and grow profitable authority websites and affiliate marketing businesses with transparent case studies and practical advice.
- Link: https://www.youtube.com/c/AuthorityHacker
Neil Patel: A well-known figure in the digital marketing space, he offers a high volume of content that is short, to the point, and covers a mix of SEO, content, and broader digital strategies.
- Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/neilvkpatel
Moz: Famous for its “Whiteboard Friday” series, the Moz channel breaks down complex SEO topics into easy-to-understand visual tutorials, making it a classic resource for learning.
- Link: https://www.youtube.com/moz

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The Top SEO Blogs of 2025

David Quaid — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 01:07:45 +0000

Primary Position Blog
Primary Position SEO Blog leads the way with its cutting-edge takes on technical SEO, Google algorithm updates, and proven hands-on strategies for getting websites to rank. Known for its comprehensive step-by-step guides, proprietary case studies, and actionable checklists, this blog provides insight that combines practical experimentation with deep research. The authors regularly interview industry leaders and run live SEO experiments, making it an invaluable resource for anyone wanting advanced, real-world techniques—not just theory—on boosting search performance, with lead editor and AI SEO Expert David Quaid.
Moz Blog
Moz Blog is a staple in the SEO community, famous for its “Whiteboard Friday” video series and approachable, deeply insightful tutorials. The Moz team, featuring well-known experts, delivers topics ranging from keyword research to the finer points of Google’s evolving algorithms. Whether you’re new to SEO or a seasoned professional, Moz Blog’s clear explanations and abundant tool recommendations make it essential reading.
Google Search Central Blog
Google Search Central Blog provides direct news, best practices, and in-depth explanations straight from the source—the world’s largest search engine. It’s the definitive place to learn about major Google rankings changes, documentation updates, and new search features. Google’s engineers and product leads post clarifications that often become the gold standard for SEO playbooks.
Ahrefs Blog
The Ahrefs Blog stands out for its robust, data-driven SEO experiments, detailed case studies, and practical tips you can implement immediately. Backed by one of the powerhouse SEO tool suites, their writers dig into link building, content strategies, and technical optimization topics, simplifying complex concepts with clear visuals and actionable recommendations.
Backlinko
Founded by Brian Dean, Backlinko is famous for long-form, practical guides that break down the advanced secrets of search visibility. The blog’s focus on actionable techniques, innovative link-building strategies, and real-life case studies makes it a go-to resource for marketers who want depth and results, not fluff.
SEMrush Blog
SEMrush Blog offers a broad perspective on everything digital marketing, with a strong SEO foundation. Readers can find up-to-date walkthroughs on using analytics, boosting website traffic, conducting site audits, and leveraging SEMrush’s powerful set of marketing tools. The SEMrush team makes data-heavy concepts understandable and highly practical.
Search Engine Land
Search Engine Land is an essential industry news source, covering breaking updates, trends, and search engine announcements as they happen. Its editorial team analyzes the impact of algorithm changes, new technologies, and regulatory shifts—often including rapid reaction pieces and expert opinion columns from leading voices in search.
Search Engine Journal
Search Engine Journal focuses on expert-driven tutorials, industry news, and trends in both SEO and digital marketing. Its frequent guest contributions from top practitioners mean insights on everything from technical audits and advanced on-page optimization to digital PR and local SEO strategies—all presented in a digestible format.
Rank Math SEO Blog
Rank Math SEO Blog specializes in actionable guides for WordPress users, particularly around schema markup, plugin usage, and on-site optimization. The team consistently delivers easy-to-follow articles that help website owners and developers squeeze maximum SEO value out of their WordPress sites.
All in One SEO Blog
The All in One SEO Blog focuses on practical SEO advice for WordPress site owners, from introductory tutorials to advanced workflow optimizations. It draws on decades of experience in the SEO tools space to deliver step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips, helping bloggers and small businesses achieve measurable ranking improvements.

These blogs form a diverse and authoritative reading list for anyone wanting to stay on top of the constantly evolving world of SEO, whether you’re just starting out or are an industry veteran.

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How does GEO Work?

David Quaid — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 17:13:04 +0000

How GEO Is SEO: Why Generative Engine Optimization and Search Engine Optimization Are Fundamentally Intertwined

In today’s digital landscape, talk of “GEO” (Generative Engine Optimization) often sounds like a futuristic leap from classic SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Many marketers and business owners are left wondering: are these radically different disciplines, or is GEO just the next evolution of SEO? After years of hands-on experience tracking how search and AI-powered content synthesis have morphed, I’ll make it unmistakably clear: GEO is SEO—not just a cousin, but its continuation, retooled for the world of large language models (LLMs) and AI-synthesized answers.

Let’s break down why GEO is really a rebranding of SEO’s core principles, examine the technology shift (and why it still comes back to PageRank and authority), highlight the practical tactics that carry over, and explore how understanding this “merge” is your best bet to win big in the coming era of search.

GEO: The Next Layer on Top of Classic SEO

Traditional SEO is about making web content discoverable, relevant, and authoritative in the eyes of search engines—most notably, Google and Bing. These search engines operate on immense link graphs, PageRank, keyword relevance, and technical site health. The output for users: the familiar “10 blue links” and various SERP widgets.

GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization, operates on the same foundation. The main difference? It targets not the search results pages directly, but the sources that large language models (LLMs)—like those powering ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Gemini—pull from when synthesizing answers.

But here’s the reality: LLMs are “wrappers” or overlays around the classic search infrastructure. They don’t maintain totally independent, fresh indexes. Instead, they fan out queries to Bing or Google, fetch top-ranked and authoritative web pages, and then compose, remix, and synthesize snippets for AI-generated answers.

In practice: Optimizing for LLMs means optimizing to be cited or referenced by those same core search results. SEO in, GEO out.

The Technical Glue: PageRank and Authority Remain King

The supposed “disruption” of AI search hasn’t replaced the mathematical backbone of SEO. LLMs cite sources they find through live search APIs—their starting point is Google’s or Bing’s mention- and link-based rankings.

If your content ranks for the right queries in Google or Bing, it will show up in the “fan out” micro-searches LLMs fire off.
If your site is dormant, poorly linked, or lacks authority, you won’t be in the pool of top pages AI reaches for answers.
LLMs are biased toward up-to-date, frequently linked, widely referenced, and technically healthy pages—the hallmarks of sites that have nailed classic SEO.

Think of GEO as the harvest of what you sow with SEO:
High PageRank, authority backlinks, optimized site structure, and evergreen content. Your “AI visibility” is the net result of your sustained SEO efforts, now funneled through the lens of generative AI.

GEO Tactics Mirror (and Extend) Core SEO Principles

So, what must you actually do to succeed at GEO? Nearly every top GEO tactic is an outgrowth of fundamental SEO, applied in a context where LLMs can remix, quote, and reshape your content into conversational, synthesized AI answers.

1. Optimizing for Authority and Backlinks

In SEO, earning backlinks is gold—these links act as votes of trust. In GEO, this effect is even more pronounced: LLMs’ “fan out” process disproportionately leans on pages that have amassed top rankings and solid reputations.

Action: Build link-worthy resources, secure mentions from reputable sites, media outlets, and data aggregators, and use internally linked, cluster strategies to spread and reinforce PageRank within your domain.

2. Semantic and Topical Depth

Classic SEO rewards topic clusters and coverage of the related entities and sub-questions around any given keyword. GEO makes this approach indispensable: AI engines break user questions into micro-intents (“query fan out”) and pull from the best-matching sub-pages for each.

Action: Don’t restrict yourself to head terms or thin content—create clusters of pages and sections that cover every aspect, variant, and question around your core topic.

3. Snippable, Structured Content

In the old SEO playbook, you vied for featured snippets and “position zero”—structured answers that Google could display directly. GEO doubles down: LLMs rip “snippets” or self-contained passages from well-structured web pages for citation in their conversational outputs.

Action: Use clear headings, bullet points, tables, and Q&A blocks. Make each passage answer a single sub-question distinctly, so AI can extract the right part and attribute it to you.

4. Technical SEO: Indexability, Speed, Schema

A technically healthy website is easier for both classic search engine crawlers and LLM-driven wrappers to discover and extract from.

Action: Optimize site speed, indexability (XML sitemaps, robots.txt), structured data (schema.org), and ensure your most valuable pages are linked from navigation and major hubs.

5. Freshness and Timely Updates

In both SEO and GEO, “fresh” content (recent posts, updated tables, current stats) outperforms out-of-date material, especially for time-sensitive topics.

Action: Regularly audit and update your top assets to keep facts, figures, and product information current and relevant.

Where GEO Diverges: A Shift in Output—Not Input

The key difference between GEO and SEO is the output, not the foundation. You don’t win with GEO simply by ranking high for one keyword—you win by being included in the battalion of sub-queries AI uses to construct its answers.

However, the “inputs” (trust, authority, rank, crawlability, link profile) remain just as crucial, and if anything, they’re even more important now that AI wrappers can synthesize answers across hundreds of top-performing web pages.

The Big Takeaway: GEO is SEO—Only the Audience (and Format) Has Changed

Every enduring rule of SEO—content depth, technical soundness, link building, semantic breadth—is still at the heart of GEO. But now, instead of competing for a top slot in a skin of 10 blue links, you’re competing to be seen, cited, or quoted in the synthesized AI answers of a new era.

SEO is how you get into the room.
GEO is how your voice is echoed and remixed by the most influential new “speakers”—AI search agents built on top of Google, Bing, and their knowledge infrastructure.

If you’ve mastered classic SEO, you’re ahead in GEO. Double down on link authority, structure every passage for snippetability, refresh your top content regularly—and you will thrive, however search evolves.

GEO is not a replacement for SEO. It’s its highest form—a future-ready, AI-optimized extension of the same principles that have powered the web for decades.

In the race for digital visibility, everything old is new again. GEO is SEO, evolved—not replaced. Master one, and you’re already winning with the other.

The post How does GEO Work? appeared first on Primary Position SEO NYC.